Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings Page A

courthouse himself and paid the taxes, so there was no danger of them losing the family land. Wes keeps his sheep out here, where George and his boys can take care of them.”
    “How sad for Uncle George!”
    “Well, that’s what family’s for. I think the setup bothers Mary more than it does George, though. Specially since it’s put Weston in a bind. He’s got a lot of land, but cash is hard to come by. Something for us to bear in mind if we aren’t caught up by August.” She smiled. “We’ll just have to make sure we aren’t in that position, won’t we?”
    The horizon held Louise’s attention for a troubled moment. “Mary told me they’re saving to invest in longhorns again. She thinks after this spring they’ll lease back only part of their land to Wes and run cattle on the rest. Could be that Weston would want to lease our land, but I can’t offer it unless George and Mary bow out first, so pray they have a good summer, too. If they get enough money together, we might be saved.”
    She paused as she caught a glimpse of a sharp black buggy crossing the creek. “My, my, looks like we have company. Don’t say anything about leasing. It’s too early to give up. We still have time.” She hurried into the house, leaving Rosa alone in the yard with her arms full of twigs.
    Rosa deposited the branches in the growing pile next to the laundry line and went through the kitchen door. By the time she’d washed up at the spigot, the guests were in the parlor, where she could eavesdrop easily.
    A woman’s voice she didn’t recognize wafted into the room. “It’s hard to believe that they are never coming back. Both Eli and Mack. I’d always imagined that one day they’d return to this house.”
    “It’s a bitter world we live in.” Overcome by sorrow, it took Louise a minute to remember her manners. “And I haven’t had a chance to speak with you about your own tragedy. May I offer my condolences?”
    The deep voice that answered sent a shock through Rosa’s chest. “Thank you, Aunt Louise. I appreciate your thoughts, although my loss isn’t as recent as yours. How are you managing?”
    Wasting no more time in the kitchen, Rosa entered to see a young dark-haired woman in an ill-fitting gown place her hand on Weston’s arm. He didn’t finish the sentence. Upon seeing Rosa, he stood but didn’t meet her eyes. She knew she wasn’t much to look at this morning, but after all they’d encountered together, why was he acting like a total stranger?
    “Eliza, this is my daughter-in-law, Rosa. Mack’s wife.” Rosa held out her hand as she’d been instructed and was pleased to find a pair of sparkling eyes appraising her from under fringed bangs and highly arched eyebrows.
    What would the other woman think? Rosa had chosen her stained red blouse for work in the garden, but it was still a strong color for her. Would she appreciate the handiwork on the seams or only see the dirt? And Rosa’s hair was twisted up and off her neck in an artless knot, completely unlike the tight curls that framed Eliza’s face. She was so out of fashion, but Eliza didn’t seem to mind.
    “Look at us. So formal.” Eliza laughed as she leaned forward for a cheek-to-cheek hug. “This is how kin behave.”
    Weston didn’t follow suit but swung his hands behind his back, making it clear that neither the hug nor the handshake was necessary. “It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Garner.”
    Rosa searched his face for some twinkle of recognition but found only formality.
    “Oh yes, Weston told me an amusing story, but I forget. Where did you meet?” Eliza raised her eyebrows.
    Rosa followed Louise’s lead and took a seat. “When I went to help Uncle George and Aunt Mary for the sheep shearing.”
    “Oh, you were the one at the sheep shearing!” Eliza’s eyes danced with mischief. “I just wish I could have been there. Sounds like you made quite an impression.”
    Rosa gasped. He’d told her about the old ewe? But